Coast Guard Publishes Adjusted OPA Limits of Liability - Increase is 7.91%
At least every three years, the U.S. Coast Guard is required to adjust the statutory limits of liability for vessels, deepwater ports, and onshore facilities. established in the Oil Pollution Act (33 U.S.C. 2704(d)(4)). The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) of the Department of the Interior is responsible for adjusting the limits of liability for offshore facilities.
The Coast Guard has adjusted the limits of liability in 2009, 2015 and 2019 and effective March 23, 2023, new limits of liability have gone into effect for vessels, deepwater ports and onshore facilities. The adjustment based on the consumer price index represents a 7.91% increase over the last time the adjustment was made.
The final notice which includes a chart with the last increase and present limit of liability may be found following this link:
